Kenyan and APR hitter Denis Esokon has been recognised among the best eight players in the 46th edition of the Men’s African Volleyball Championship that concluded in Misurata, Libya, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

Esokon, formerly with Kenya Prisons, ventured out for a professional stint with the Rwanda Patriotic Army (APR) at the start of the year and played an integral part in helping the team to a fourth-place finish in the games.

The Rwandan side, under the tutelage of Kenyan coach Sammy Mulinge, secured a top-four berth following defeat to pre-tournament favourites Al Ahly, in the third play-off tie on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

“Kenya’s Denis Esokon has been named one of the Best Outside Hitters in the 2025 CAVB Men’s Dream Team, following a brilliant performance for APR VC at the African Club Championship in Misurata, Libya,” a statement from the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) read in part.

Esokon and his APR side bundled out Kenya’s GSU in the round of 16 play-off after a 3-0 defeat on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Winners Swehly Sports Club dominated the 8-player list with four players.

Shafik Ahmed claimed the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).

They joined Egypt’s Ben Othmen Mohammed Ali as the two outstanding outside hitters.

Al Ahly’s middle blocker Elhaddad Mohammed Osman also made it onto the team.

Kenya’s team performance

Kenya’s representatives, the General Service Unit (GSU), claimed a 10th-place finish.

The team under Gideon Tarus edged their Kenyan counterparts, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), in the 9-12 play-off as Dockers settled for 11th.

Kenya Prisons, who endured a tough outing in the games, were ranked 18th in the tournament that attracted the elite 24 volleyball teams from Africa.

The Dream Team:

Denis Esokon (APR), Shafik Ahmed (Swehly Sports Club), Ben Othmen Ali (Esperance), Elhaddad Mohammed Osman (Al Ahly), Alwaddani Anas (Swehly Sports Club), Salah Abdelhay (Swehly Sports Club), Bekhit Abdallah Abdalslam (Swehly Sports Club), and Korbosli Taieb (Esperance).